Osteopathic device and method of treatment



Nov. 30, 1943. I R S 2,335,290

OSTEOPATHIC DEVICE AND METHOD TREATMENT Filed Sept. 19, 1940 0/7ar/es ,6. WZO'Oi/QS F4, Qua, Px w 7 Patented Nov. 30, 1943 OSTEOPATHIC DEVICE AND METHOD OF TREATMENT Charles E. Medaris, Rockford, 111.

Application September 19, 1940, Serial No. 357,384

7 Claims.

This invention relates to treating sacro-iliac disorders and devices for facilitating such treatment.

Various methods involving the use of props under the feet, belts around the pelvis, etc., have been employed heretofore in the treating of postural strains that develop in various parts of the body. Most of these conditions are brought about by sacro-iliac strains which cannot be relieved properly with the aid of the devices heretofore used.

The general object of the invention is to provide a novel method of treating sacro-iliac strains by imparting adjusting movements to the patients leg while the patient is lying supine with the joint properly supported.

Another object is to provide a device for supporting a sacro-iliac joint and other parts of the body in a novel manner such as to facilitate adjustment of the joint and quick relief of the strained condition.

The invention also resides in the novel construction of the device which facilitates location in operative position and holding of the other parts of the body in correct positions during the adjustment.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved device in operative position beneath a patients body.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, I have shown in the drawing and will herein describe in detail the preferred embodiment. It is to be understood that I do not thereby intend to limit the invention by such disclosure, but aim to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

The apparatus constituting the invention operates to support the lower back region while the patient being treated lies supine or a bed or table 5. Generally stated, the apparatus consists of a substantially rigid member 6 movable with a rocking motion and adapted to, support the affected sacro-iliac joint in raised position and a second relatively soft and yieldable member 1 on which the other sacro-iliac rests during the treatment. The proper heights of the supporting surfaces are maintained by mounting the members 6 and l on a base or platform 8 which is substantially rigid and therefore does not bend appreciably even though the table 5 may be soft and yieldable. The latter may be a metal plate somewhat longer than the width of the average patients body.

Preferably the yieldable supporting member 1 comprises a cushion padded suificiently to hold one side of the patients body several inches .above the base 5. Means such as straps 9 sewed to the under side of the cushion and extending through apertures in the plate 8 serve to fasten the cushion to the plate and hold it against displacement during the treatment.

To obtain the rocking motion above referred to, the movable support 6 comprises in the present instance substantially a half cylinder covered by a relatively thin pad Iii approximately six inches square. The under surface which, in the present instance, has a radius of curvature of about three inches is covered by a sheet ii of rubber preferably having shallow ribs thereon extending parallel to the cylinder axis. By employing a covering material having such a high coefiicient of friction, there is little tendency for the cylinder 6 to slip and slide along the base 8 under the forces applied during the adjusting treatment.

For the purpose of holding the knee of the other leg flexed as shown in Fig. 1 during the treatment, a strap i3 is threaded through apertures M in opposite ends of the base plate 8, its opposite ends being joined by a buckle l5 by which the strap may be adjusted to different patients.

In carrying out the improved method, the apparatus described is placed beneath the hips of the patient lying supine on the table 5. The rocker member 6 is placed under the sacro-iliac to be treated as shown in Fig. 1 while the other sacro-iliac rests on the cushion I at substantially the same level (see Fig. 2). The strap I3 is placed over the knee of the other leg which is flexed upwardly as shown. It has been found that this serves to maintain the proper positional relation of the body and appliance parts during the treatment and exaggerates to some degree the effectiveness of the adjusting forces applied as an incident to the rocking motion of the member 6.

With the appliance thus supporting the pelvic bones, the operator grasps the ankle of the patients extended leg l6 and gently pushes upwardly and then pulls forwardly at the same time lowering the leg slightly below the level of the body. Owing to the rigidity of the member 6, it will be observed that pressure due to the weight of the patients body is applied directly to the posterior superior spine of the ilium under strain. The direction of this pressure application shifts automatically with the rocking movement of the half cylinder longitudinally of the patients body as shown in dotted outline in Fig. 3. As a result of this rocking action, thestress of the long muscles arising from the anterior superior spin and of the ilium and extending'to either side of the knee joint are utilized to force 1 I the ilium forwardly and backwardly. This per'--'-' mits of gentle adjustment which relieves strain,

and improves circulation in and around the affected area without danger of injury to any '7 treated with the patient lying supine on a surtissues.

Actual experience with countless patientshas.

shown the method above described to be 'very effectivein relieving sacro-iliac disorders. Even in the most severe cases, Ihave found that com plete and lasting normalization maybe obtained in only a few treatments.

I claim as my invention:

1. Apparatus of the character described comprising a rigid base, a cushion adapted when placed on said base to support one hip of a patient lying supine, and a rigid semi-cylindrical member adapted when placed on said base adjacent said cushion to support the other hip at substantially the same level as said cushion and to rock on the base longitudinally of the patients other leg. v

2. Apparatus of the character described comprising a rigid base, a cushioned pad mounted on said base, a substantially rigid member adapted to rest on the base adjacent said pad and rock back and forth, said member-having a substantially flat upper surface adapted to support one sacro-iliac joint of a patient to be treatedat substantially the same level as said cushion, and means attached to said base and operable to hold one leg of the patient flexed. V

3. The method of treating sacro-iliac strains which comprises resting one sacro-iliac of a patient lying supine on a member adapted to rock longitudinally of the patients body, and alternately pushing and pulling the associated leg to rock said member.

surface and a curved under surface so that the latter support will rock back and forth as an "incident to longitudinal movement of the patients leg adjacent the latter support.

5. The method of treating sacro-iliac strains which comprises resting the sacro-iliac to be face adapted to rock about an axis extending transversely of the patients body and disposed below the support, and alternately pushing and pulling on the adjacent leg of the patient to cause said surface to rock and to shift back and forth while pressed against said sacro-iliac under the weight of said body.

6. The method of treating sacro-iliac strains which comprises supporting the sacro-iliac to be treated of a patient lying supine by a generally flat and rigid surface rockable about an axis extending transversely of the patients leg, supporting the other sacro-iliac on a yieldable support holding the latter sacro-iliac at substantially the same level as said first sacro-iliac, and moving said leg back and forth longitudinally to rock said rigid surface;

7. The method of treating sacro-iliac strains which comprises resting the sacro-iliac to be treated with the patient lying supine on a surface adapted to rock about an axis extending transversely of the patients body, holding the leg on the opposite side of the body flexed and extending upwardly, and alternately pushing and and pulling on the other leg to cause said surface to rock back and forth.

CHARLES E. MEDARIS. 

